David Nicholas: Trio arrested after killing man and kidnapping his girlfriend in apparent revenge plot

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ALABAMA, UNITED STATES: A Birmingham trio killed a 43-year-old man and abducted his girlfriend in an apparent revenge plot at their residence. 

Dustin Stanfield, 43, Joshua Guthrie, 33, and Brittany Patterson, 33,  were arrested in connection with the death of David Nicholas who was shot and killed on Saturday, December 23, 2023, in the 1400 Block of Lake Lane.

Nicholas suffered brutal torture and injuries during the kidnapping of his girlfriend.

Nicholas's girlfriend survived the ordeal with non-life-threatening injuries, despite facing several challenges.

In the wake of Nicholas's tragic death, one of his friends initiated a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for his funeral expenses.

Alongside the fundraising efforts, a heartbreaking message was shared to express the deep sorrow surrounding his untimely demise as per Law&Crime.

Police arrests trio for David Nicholas’ death

Before the stroke of midnight on December 23, 2023, a call was made to the police reporting Nicholas as the victim, suffering from at least one gunshot wound and urgently requiring assistance. 

Subsequently, officers arrived at Lake Lane in the Huffman community, where they discovered Nicholas. Unfortunately, Local Fire and Rescue personnel pronounced him dead at 12:53 am on December 24, 2023.

Fitzgerald stated that investigators determined the attack on Nicholas occurred at a residence on the same street. Despite the violence, Nicholas managed to leave the house and seek aid before succumbing to his injuries. 

The police emphasized from the outset that the incident was not random, and the investigation remains active and ongoing.

In the aftermath of Nicholas's death, two men were apprehended on December 24, 2023, while the woman was arrested this past weekend on December 30, 2023. 

Dustin Stanfield, Joshua Guthrie and Brittany Patterson, each face charges of capital murder and first-degree kidnapping.

David Nicholas’ friend raises over $1K on GoFundMe

According to Alabama authorities, the trio attacked and kidnapped Nicholas and his girlfriend. Court papers obtained by AL.com allege that Nicholas was killed during the trio's attempt to abduct, injure, or sexually violate him. 

Leeds Police Chief Paul Irwin, commenting on Guthrie's arrest at a Walmart Supercenter about 20 miles from the murder scene, stated to the Trussville Tribune, “The city of Birmingham was looking for someone that had committed a homicide and after they committed the homicide, they took the victim’s significant other"

He added, "They had her and we found her in the vehicle with the suspect at the Walmart. We took him into custody for murder.”

Additionally, the female victim reported being stripped naked, beaten, and hospitalized for a concussion.

Guthrie's arrest provided some additional insight into the case, revealing that one of the arrested men was the ex-boyfriend of the kidnapped woman. However, authorities did not specify which male defendant this referred to.

Kimberley Strickland, a friend of David Nicholas, initiated a GoFundMe campaign, stating, "Additionally, the female victim reported being stripped naked, beaten, and hospitalized for a concussion. Guthrie's arrest provided some additional insight into the case, revealing that one of the arrested men was the ex-boyfriend of the kidnapped woman. However, authorities did not specify which male defendant this referred to."

The campaign has garnered USD 1,165 out of the $7,000 goal.